Liberty London is one of the most iconic luxury department stores in England. At the forefront of British design for over a century, it’s renowned for its richly patterned fabrics, refined furnishings and unique collaborations with leading artists and designers. 

Liberty was founded in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty as a small emporium on Regent Street specializing in fine fabrics and decorative objects from Asia. In an era defined by the Industrial Revolution and Paris-led fashion, Arthur Liberty positioned his store as an alternative, emphasizing eclectic luxury imports and artisanal goods.

He was inspired in part by the high-quality craftsmanship, materials and nature-inspired details and patterns he and his wife encountered during an extensive trip to Japan in the 1880s. The earliest designs for what would become known as Liberty Fabrics were patterns inspired by Asian botanical motifs, adapted by in-house designers to suit British tastes.

From the late 19th century, Liberty played a central role in the Arts & Crafts movement, which championed traditional craftsmanship, natural forms and materials, and the value of the handmade. Collaborating with leading figures such as William Morris, Liberty showcased emerging artists and designers, commissioning high-quality handcrafted home furnishings and distinctive textile patterns that helped spread Arts & Crafts aesthetics to a broad audience. Liberty’s influence on the Arts & Crafts movement and the Art Nouveau style in Europe was particularly significant in Italy, where the Italian expression of Art Nouveau became known as Stile Liberty, named after the London store.

In the 1920s, Liberty commissioned its now-famous flagship building. Designed in the distinctive Tudor Revival style that reflected contemporary ideals of British craftsmanship and heritage, it was conceived as a merchant ship carrying luxury goods from around the world and built using timber from decommissioned Royal Navy ships.

Inside, light-filled atriums, carved staircases, stained glass and creaking, wood-paneled rooms with fireplaces evoke an English manor house.

The interiors are as ornamental and distinctive as the curated fashion, beauty, homewares and fabrics on display, creating a unique and immersive retail experience.

Liberty is especially enchanting during the festive season, when over-the-top Christmas decorations add whimsy to the historic spaces.

Today, Liberty remains a leading tastemaker, especially celebrated for its printed textiles. Drawing on an archive of thousands of historic designs as well as inspiration from the natural world, its in-house design studio creates new patterns each season.

Iconic late 19th-century designs such as William Morris’s Strawberry Thief and Liberty’s own peacock-feather Hera print continue to feature alongside collaborations with contemporary artists and designers.

Produced at Liberty’s family-run printing mill in Italy’s Lake Como region, these textiles combine heritage craftsmanship with advanced printing technologies. Printed shirts, scarves and dresses remain among Liberty’s most popular items.

For interested travelers, Artisans of Leisure can include a visit to Liberty as part of a private London tour. We also take travelers to other favorite historic emporiums and specialty shops such as Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Lock & Co., Hackett on Savile Row and others as well as notable sites associated with British design and the Arts & Crafts movement. 

Contact Artisans of Leisure to plan a private England tour.